Episode 63: 1976 Territory Review: Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling

Episode 72: 1976 Territory Review WWWF 1976 Part 2

It's another loaded episode of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel!On Episode 72, Steve Gennerelli joins me as we step back into 1976 for a deep dive into the WWWF. We break down the dramatic Bruno Sammartino broken neck angle, the heated return match against Stan Hansen, and the massive impact it had on the territory. Plus, we examine the historic Inoki vs. Ali mixed wrestler-versus-boxer match and share more key insights into the WWWF during that pivotal year. I’m also excited to launch a brand-new recurring segment: The Life and Career of Dory Funk Sr.! We kick things off by looking back at the significant events of 1965 and how they set the stage for the pivotal year of 1966. Then we head 60 years back in time to the Wild West Texas rings of Western States Sports for some raw, hard-hitting territory history. And finally, the one and only George Schire returns to the show to answer a fan question with his personal thoughts on the Top 5 AWA World Heavyweight Champions of all time!This is a stacked episode packed with territory-era gold you don’t want to miss.Episode 72 is live now here on Substack and on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your favorite platforms. If you love old-school wrestling history, hit play, please subscribe and leave a review, and let us know what you think. Keep those questions and topic requests coming! We’ll see you in the Time Tunnel, the home for the History of Territory Wrestling!

Episode 71: 1976 Territory Review: Tennessee Territory

Episode 71: Tennessee Territory 1976 – The Gulas-Welch Territory in the First Half of the YearIn this episode, host Tony Richards is joined once again by Tennessee wrestling historian Tim Dills for a detailed review of the first six months of 1976 in the powerful Gulas-Welch Tennessee Territory. We explore the behind-the-scenes workings and motivations of the new UWA promotion challenging the established order in Nashville, the heated and emerging Jerry Lawler vs. Tommy Rich feud that would become one of the territory’s biggest draws, the colorful program pitting The Bicentennial Kings against The Fabulous Fargos (including Jackie and Roughhouse), and much more. Throughout the conversation, we see the early seeds of discontent being sown between Nick Gulas and Jerry Jarrett — tensions that would ultimately lead to the dramatic breakup of the territory in 1977.Packed with historical context, key angles, business insights, and classic territory storytelling, this episode is essential listening for fans of Mid-South/NWA action in the 1970s. Episode 71 drops now — available on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.Brought to you by the Grizzly Up Soap Company.Ride with us through the Time Tunnel as we continue our deep dive into 1976!

Episode 70: TNT HOF Series 2: Ron Fuller and George Schire

We continue our 2026 Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Series with Episode 70, dropping this morning , July 8th — just days before the big Hall of Fame weekend in Waterloo.Joining us is Ron Fuller, who will be accepting the 2026 Lou Thesz Award on behalf of the Welch/Fuller Family. Ron shares heartfelt memories of his family’s legendary contributions to the business, stories from his own career, and his pivotal role promoting Southeastern Championship Wrestling in 1976. We dive deep into the family legacy that helped shape so many territories. Our second guest is the noted wrestling historian George Schire. We discuss my own honor — the James C. Melby Award for excellence in journalism and wrestling history preservation — and I have a special surprise for George during the show that you won’t want to miss.Two outstanding guests, rich Hall of Fame conversation, and plenty of territory history. This is one of those episodes you’ll want to listen to more than once. Brought to you by the Grizzly Up Soap Company — keeping the legends clean and the territory spirit alive!Set your reminders, download it fresh on Wednesday morning, and ride along with us through the Time Tunnel as we celebrate this year’s honorees. Can’t wait for you to hear this one! Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, Your Home for the History of Territory Wrestliung!

Episode 69: 2026 TNT HOF Series: James Beard & Jimmy Garvin

We proudly launch our brand-new 2026 Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Series with Episode 69 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, featuring 2026 Impact Award winner and legendary referee James Beard and Jack Brisco Red Belt Award winner “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin!James was a cornerstone official in World Class Championship Wrestling’s glory years at the Sportatorium and later in the WWF. Jimmy Garvin brings his iconic in-ring perspective from his legendary runs across the territories, including his deep Texas roots and time with the Freebirds. In this conversation we cover career highlights, behind-the-scenes stories from Dallas, and what these well-deserved honors mean to them ahead of the Hall of Fame weekend. Episode 69 is live now on Substack,Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms. Listen today and let us know what you think. The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is your Home for the History of Territory Wrestling.

Episode 68: 2026 Mailbag Show #2

We’re back with our second Mailbag Show of the year — Episode 67 — and I’m joined once again by my great friend and co-host, Steve Gennerelli!This one is pure fan interaction. Steve and I are diving into your questions from the community — everything from deep territorial history, booking decisions, hidden gems from the 70s and 80s, wrestler careers, and those classic “what if” scenarios that we all love to debate.You asked… we’re answering. Expect plenty of stories, insight, laughs, and that signature Time Tunnel deep dive you’ve come to expect.Whether you’re a longtime territory fan or just discovering the golden age of regional wrestling, this episode is for you. Episode 67 – The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Mailbag Show #2 is live now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get your shows.Drop a review, share your thoughts, and keep those questions coming for the next mailbag! Thanks for riding with us through the Time Tunnel… let’s open some letters and talk some wrestling history!